"Get Scrappy!" Blog

October Recommended Readings

In my industry, I have the pleasure of meeting wonderful speakers and thought leaders from all walks of life. As a result, it turns out that three of my good friends all have books coming out this month: Brandon Steiner, David Horsager and Randy Gage. (You’ve gotta support your friends, right?). So, I wanted to take a moment and introduce you to their material. To follow, please find a little insight about all three for your consideration. (Note: they are listed in chronological order of release.) They are all very different and offer unique messages for today’s competitive market. Check ‘em out! Enjoy! TS

A Brooklyn kid hustles his way to the top of a sports marketing and memorabilia empire.

Brandon Steiner went from a kid who sat in the nosebleed seats at Yankee and Shea Stadiums to CEO of Steiner Sports Marketing Inc., one of the largest sports marketing and memorabilia companies in the United States, with an inventory of more than 10,000 collectibles. You Gotta Have Balls details Steiner’s multiple entrepreneurial adventures, where he has both learned and taught others his fair share of “rules.” Along the way, he developed some of the most innovative approaches to business—methods that many of today’s companies would be wise to observe and employ themselves.
You Gotta Have Balls follows Steiner on his pathway to success by demonstrating the business philosophies that allowed him to become the powerful magnate that he is. These ideals include:

First to market is everything

Ask “What Else?” when working with clients to enhance relationships and elicit more business

Don’t expand just for the sake of expanding; do it in areas and industries where your passion lies

How to train employees while they’re in the minor leagues to prepare them for the majors

Learn to clearly identify ways to help others rather than sell to them, to align employees and partners with their strengths, and to discover a path where you’re most likely to succeed.

David Horsager reveals the foundation of genuine success—trust. Based on research but made practical for today’s leader, The Trust Edge shows that trust is quantifiable and brings dramatic results to businesses and leaders. In this book, Horsager teaches readers how to build the 8 Pillars of Trust:

1. Clarity: People trust the clear and mistrust the ambiguous.
2. Compassion: People put faith in those who care beyond themselves.
3. Character: People notice those who do what is right over what is easy.
4. Competency: People have confidence in those who stay fresh, relevant, and capable.
5. Commitment: People believe in those who stand through adversity.
6. Connection: People want to follow, buy from, and be around friends.
7. Contribution: People immediately respond to results.
8. Consistency: People love to see the little things done consistently.

When leaders learn how to implement these pillars, they enjoy better relationships, reputations, retention, revenue, and results. Fascinating and timely, The Trust Edge unveils how trust has the ability to accelerate or destroy any business, organization, or relationship. The lower the trust, the more time everything takes, the more everything costs, and the lower the loyalty of everyone involved.

Conversely, an environment of trust leads to greater innovation, morale, and productivity. The trusted leader is followed. From the trusted salesperson, people will buy. For the trusted brand, people will pay more, come back, and tell others. Trust, not money, is the currency of business and life!

This book is available in bookstores nationwide, October 9, 2012. To pre-order your copy today, please visit: http://amzn.to/RB62Dq

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My friend Randy Gage’s new book: Risky is the New Safe will be released on October 30th. Randy sent me an advanced review copy, and I shared the following testimonial with him as a result:

”Risky is the New Safe serves to help expand your current perspective of what the future might look like. You don’t have to agree with everything, but the contrast can ignite your imagination in a fresh, wonderful and inspiring way. It made me laugh, it made me question a few things, and it got me thinking…what if? Love that!” -TS

Here is a description and overview of the book:

Risky Is the New Safe is a different kind of book for a different kind of thinking—a thought-provoking manifesto for risk takers. It will challenge you to think laterally, question premises, and be a contrarian.

Disruptive technology, accelerating speed of change and economic upheaval are changing the game. The same tired, old conventional thinking won’t get you to success today. Risky Is the New Safe will change the way you look at everything! You’ll view challenges—and the corresponding opportunities they provide—in entirely new and exciting ways. You’ll recognize powerful new gateways to creating wealth.

In this mind-bending book you’ll discover:

How mavericks like Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, and Mark Cuban think differently—and what you can learn from them;

The six-month online course that could allow you to earn more than a Ph.D.;

How social media changes branding and marketing forever, and what that means for you;

What happens when holo-suites and virtual-reality sex come about, and how you need to prepare;

The new religion of ideas: How to become an “idea generator” and declare as a free agent; and,

What will cause the Euro, precious metals, and oceanfront real estate to collapse—and how that can make you rich!